Caldwell defends Hunter

VICTORVILLE • Mayor Terry Caldwell has come to the defense of Councilman Bob Hunter, calling out a local developer for allegedly backing a "vicious smear campaign" against the incumbent.

Five fliers have been sent to residents — with one more on the way — blaming Hunter for the city's decision to contract with San Bernardino County for fire services, power-plant pollution, money spent seeking investors in China and more.

The fliers make no mention of incumbent councilmen Mike Rothschild and Rudy Cabriales, who backed most of the same projects.

"I own the company and am responsible for the anti-incumbancy literature," said Dan Tate, with real estate acquisition company Sun Country Land Holdings LLC.

However, Caldwell sent a letter Friday to Frontier Homes' owner Jim Previti, alleging the developer controls Sun Country and is behind the campaign.

"Mayor Caldwell has got some bad information," Tate said in response.

"I've never even heard of Sun Country Land Holdings," said Frontier's Shane Bouchard, next in charge under Previti, speaking on the owner's behalf.

Bouchard said Previti was unavailable for comment.

Several inside sources have said Previti publicly pledged to spend up to $100,000 to unseat Hunter, which Caldwell also addresses in his letter.

Sources said this "vendetta" arose after Hunter pushed to require in all new developments purple pipe, which delivers reclaimed water for irrigation and industrial uses — a move that came with a hefty price tag for developers.

Bouchard denied all of these claims.

Tate also denied that Previti is connected with the mailers in any way. He said he's personally spent roughly $50,000 on the mailers because he's tired of the "fiscal irresponsibility" from the current council members, who he feels have neglected the needs of residents.